WAR AGAINST STAGNATION
TEXT: 2 Kings 6:24, “And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.:
ANCHOR VERSE: 2 Kings 7:6-7, “ 6For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. 7Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.”
Stagnation is the state of not flowing or moving, a lack of activity, growth or development. For example, a blocked drainage results in water stagnation. In the text, Israel was besieged by an enemy. The blockage caused lack of movement of goods and services into Israel culminating in a serious economic crisis such that people were feeding on the offspring.
Stagnation means no progress of any kind in any sphere of one’s life, maritally, professionally, academically or even emotional. Stagnation leads to frustration of varying degrees, evidenced by a lack of promotion, poverty, shame or sorrow.
To overcome stagnation, be prepared to engage in a war which is not in flesh but fought by spiritual awareness, tactics, and weapons 2 Corinthians 10:4, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
HOW TO AVOID STAGNATION
There is a part you do physically and another in prayers, beginning with a spiritual awakening, a desire for a change of ‘status-quo’. The lepers realized that they needed to move or else be destroyed. 2 Kings 7:3-5, “3And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? 4If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die. 5And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.”
That realization is where the transformation begins. The Lord creates an awakening (sometimes) via deep dissatisfaction for one’s present situation and urgent desire for change.
Secondly, move towards redemption and change, counter the fear(s) that will definitely show up by the word of God 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Take cognizant steps forward, practical steps out of the stagnant situation. This may mean get education to improve your knowledge, get an extra job or source of income to get out of the financial stagnation or prepare and take the examination again.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The first step out of stagnation starts with you. You must realize that you are stuck and desire a change.
PRAYER:
Oh Lord me out of every stagnant situation, I pull down every stronghold stopping me in Jesus’ name.
